Means for protecting receiving-openings of coin-controlled machines



(No Model.)

A. LE G. PEIROE. MEANS POR PROTEGIING RECEIVING OPENINGS 0P COIN CONTROLLED MACHINES;

N0. 517,012. Patented Mar. 20, 1894.

of? a v We M UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALMY LE GRAND PEIRCE, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

MEANS FOR PROTECTING RECEIVING-OPENINGS 0F COIN-CONTROLLED MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 517,012, dated March 20, 1894.

Application filed August 28, 1893.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALMY LE GRAND PEIRCE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cincinnati, Hamilton county, State of Ohio, but temporarily residing at Chicago, Cook county, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Means to Protect the Receiving- Openings of Coin-Controlled Machines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, attention being called to the accompanying drawings, with the reference-numerals marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to devices for the purpose of protecting the opening through which the money is introduced in coin-controlled vending machines. These latter are devices of the kind, where a certain pro-determined coin, when introduced into them, actuates interior mechanism in a manner to permit the withdrawal of a certain quantity of the merchandise (drinks, candies, &c.,) stored therein. Such machines are mostly set up in public places and exposed to many attempts to obtain their contents without the deposit of the required coin. Among the objects most frequently used in place of the latter, are circular pieces of tin, or sheet-iron and metal washers. I 4

The object of my invention is more particularly to prevent the use of these objects, by constructing accordingly the receiving opening or mouth of the tube or conduit which guides the coin to the mechanism which unlocks and permits release of the merchandise stored inside.

In the following specification and particularly pointed out in the claims, is founda full description of my invention, its parts, operation and construction, the latter being also illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1, shows in a front-view, a part of the outer case of such a machine, with the coin-receiving opening therein. Fig. 2, is a similar view of the device as it appears when the outer casing of the machine is removed from in front of it. Figs. 3, and at, are cen- Serial No. 484,212. (No model.)

tral vertical sections of the device,'the first showingit in its normal condition and the second as it appears while being used. Fig. 5, is a side-view of the device and Fig. 6, a topview of the same, with part of the outer case in section. v

10, is a part of the outer case of a suitable coin-controlled vending machine and 11, is the chute which conducts the introduced coin to the coin-controlled mechanism.

12, is the opening in the case, through which the coin is introduced fiatwise and it is therefore of a size to correspond with the latter.

Immediately back of the case is a slide 13, provided with a similar opening, part of which normally registers with the opening 12, first mentioned, and part of which is extended latorally and downwardly as shown at 14. The thickness of this slide corresponds with the thickness of the designated coin and it is operated, that is pushed down by means of a catch or trigger 15, normally occupying a cutout 16, forming a part and extending up from opening 12. The slide and its trigger are held in this position, respectively returned to it after operation, by a spring 17, one end of which is secured to the former, the other to a suitable point inside of the case. Back of the slide is a housing 18, being bent around the sides or edges of the slide and secured to the case, formingthus the means whereby the slide is guided in its reciprocatory motion. The back-part of this housing carries an ejector 19, perforating it at a point which corresponds with the center of opening 12, and into which openingits end projects. It is provided with a collar 20, which limits its forward movement which is induced by a spring 21, occupyinga socket 22.

The lower part of the housing 18, is formed by a permanent magnet 23. In the legitimate operation of the device, a coin is introduced with one hand, as shown in Fig. 3, and pushed against the projecting end of the e'jector 19, which retreats and permits the coin to occupy the opening in the slide. The coin is held in such position against the spring-actuated ejector until the slide is started down with the other hand by acting against the trigger 15. Upon arrival in its lowest position the extension 14, of the opening in the slide will IOC come opposite an outlet opening in the housing 18, through which the coin will enter the mouth of the coin-chute 11, and pass on.

If a piece of tin, or sheet-iron should be used, the magnet willhold the same within the opening of the slide and after operation, when the latter is released and returns to its normal position, the object will be carried up again and thrown out by the ejector.

If a perforated washer should be used, it will occupy a position as shown at 24:, in Fig. 2, being unable to depress the ejector, which therefore projects within the path of the slide and prevents its operation.

A counterfeit of too large a diameter, is excluded by the size of the opening 12, while excessive thickness will prevent an operation of the slide 13.

Having described my invention, I claim as new- 1. In a device to protect the receiving opening of coin-controlled vending machines, the combination of the outer case having a circular opening, a reciprocating slide with a similar opening back of the case and open at one side to permit the coin to escape, and a magnet back of the slide.

2. In a device to protect the receiving opening of coin-controlled vending machines, the combination of the outer case having a circular opening, a reciprocating slide with a similar opening back of the case, and open at one side to permit the cointo pass out,and aspringactuated ejector back of the slide and projecting normally within the opening therein.

3. In a device to protect the receiving opening of coin-controlled vending machines, the combination of the outer case having a circular opening, a reciprocating slide with a similar opening back of the case, which opening extends at one side to the edge of the slide, a housing 18 to guide the latter, an outlet-opening in this housing which receives the coin from the slide, and a magnet back of thelatter.

4. In a device to protect the receiving opening of coin-controlled vending machines, the combination of the outer case havingacircular opening, a reciprocating slide with a similar opening back of the case, which opening extends at one side to the edge of the slide, a housing 18 to guide the latter, an outletopening in this housing which receives the coin from the slide, and a spring-actuated ejector carried by it and projecting through this housing into the opening in the slide.

5. In a device to protect the receiving opening of coin-controlled vending machines, the combination of the outer case having a circular opening, a reciprocating slide with a similar opening back of the case, which opening at one side extends to the edge of the slide to permit the coin to pass out, a spring-actuated ejector back of the slide and projecting normally within the opening therein, and a magnet below the ejector.

6. In a device to protect the receiving opening of coincontrolled vending machines, the combination of the outer case having a circular opening, a reciprocating slide with a similar opening back of the case, which opening at one side extends to the edge of the slide,a housing 18 to guide the latter, an outlet-opening in this housing which receives the coin from the slide, a spring-actuated ejector carried by said housing and projecting through it within the opening in the slide and a magnet below the ejector and in line with the inside of the housing.

In testimony whereof I alfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALMY LE GRAND PEIRCE.

Witnesses:

WM. IRVIN, C. SPRENGEL. 

